Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Topeka?

Topeka has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Topeka over Columbia?

Average tuition in Topeka is $1,300/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $4,800/year in Topeka.

How do Columbia and Topeka private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average). Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Topeka

Topeka averages $1,300/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Topeka	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$4,800/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$14,300/yr	+$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$8,300/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Topeka saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Topeka breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Kansas private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.